Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Memorable Moments

* SPOILER ALERT*

Being a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, I've been disappointed in the past by some of the movies. But I've also felt that as we go along the movies have been getting better, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One was no exception. I really enjoyed it!

• It was really moving when Hermione removed her parents' memories just before she left so that they wouldn't remember they ever had a daughter -- more so than it seemed to be in the book. I'm glad they placed importance on it in the movie; it really was a huge sacrifice she made.
• The moment in the kitchen when Harry and Ginny are kissing and George sneaks in with whatever-it-was sticking out the side of his head so he can have his breakfast and stare at them. Such a random moment! Loved it!
• Luna is hilarious. Her completely honest (inappropriate!) comments provide such humour. "Come Daddy, Harry doesn't want to talk to us right now. He's just too polite to say so."
• When Harry informed Dolores that she was lying and that one must not tell lies, then proceeded to stun the horrible hag. Hee hee hee!

• The acting of the three main characters has improved tremendously since the first movie. I noticed this especially during Harry and Ron's little showdown just before Ron left them. I could really feel every emotion there... 
• When Hermione laid a Christmas wreath on Harry's parents' grave, I found that a really touching moment.
• I loved the way they depicted the Tale of the Three Brothers. It was so not what I expected and yet it was perfect. The animation was superb! Magical!
• The snake coming out of Bathilda Bagshot's body -- seriously creepy! I knew it was coming and I didn't know how graphic or gross it was going to be so I kept kinda looking away and then peeking through my fingers, waiting for it!

• The scenery we got to see as Harry, Ron and Hermione travelled around the countryside was quite breathtaking at times. I especially loved the the snowy forest they ended up in after fighting the snake. The one Hermione remembers travelling to with her parents.
• This wasn't in the book, but it seemed to add something else to the story when Bellatrix cut the word mudblood into Hermione's arm. It brought home just how much the Death Eaters hate anyone who isn't pure blood. The whole Bellatrix and Hermione scene was really quite horrifying.
• And, of course, I had to blink really hard when Dobby died to keep my tears from falling. J. K. Rowling has incorporated just the right amount of loss into these stories to make us understand that no story can end perfectly happily and that there is always a cost when true evil is involved. Dobby died a hero.

So here's to the treasure trove of memorable moments that J. K. Rowling has left us with at the (almost) conclusion of seven of the most magical stories ever written. Thank you!